Political Science Professor Marc Lynch has a mostly optimistic article on Arab media that is worth a read.

He argues that

For many critics, Al-Jazeera’s controversial coverage of Iraq, especially its airing of hostage videos and beheadings, overshadows whatever reformist potential the station might have. To be sure, Al-Jazeera seems increasingly consumed by sensationalism. But such pessimism, like the earlier extravagant optimism that Al-Jazeera would usher in quick democratization, is misplaced. The new Arab media has eroded state monopoly over information, embedding in its audience an expectation of choice and contention that undercuts authoritarian political culture. Satellite television stations are encouraging a pluralist political culture, one in which individual voices can be heard, disagreements openly aired, and nearly every aspect of politics and society held open to public scrutiny.

Freedom is a powerful force that naturally feeds on itself. Lynch’s argument is somewhat straw-man-ish. It would be nice if he cited specific “critics” who are making the claims that he ascribes to them, as well as specific writers who suffered from “extravagant optimism”, but space-constraints might have left him little room to do so.

But, if you are interested in current events in the Arab world, this article, like most everything that Lynch writes, is well worth your time.